Category Archives : Writing

Namaste is a Sanskrit word comprised of the root words “namah” and “te.” Namah is commonly translated to mean “to bow” while the root te means “to you.”

This is why Namaste is commonly translated as “the light in me bows to the same light within you.” Often, you will hear this in a yoga class. Namaste is typically used at the end of class to seal the practice. Some teachers will also open their class with it.

What do you know about fascia? It’s a trending word in health and wellness circles for good reasons! Maybe you’ve heard of plantar fasciitis, IT Band Syndrome, or perhaps “frozen shoulder.” All these ailments and more are caused by restrictions in your fascia.

Fascia, pronounced “fash-ya,” is the network of connective tissue in your body, and it has been with us since the beginning of our biological inception. It’s integral to the health of our bodies, and can be the culprit in hundreds of pain and mobility issues.

All I wanted was a damn good chutney. About 12 years ago, I double-parked and ran into an Indian food restaurant located in a strip mall in my hometown. I’d had an incredibly long day at work and was craving comfort food and my sofa. When I blazed through the door, I was greeted by a man who stood about the height of my chin. He was the host, the cook, the waiter, and, as I quickly learned, he was also the owner.

He met my cyclone of an entry with a steady kind gaze, and then simply pressed his palms together at his heart, and with a slight reverent bow, said “Namaste.” I had heard the word before, of …

Hanuman was born on the wind and a prayer. His father was Kesari, a sort of meditating gladiator monkey-like humanoid, called in Sanskrit, a “vanara”. His mother, Anjana, held the essence of her name: “anj” in Sanskrit means reverence.

Anjana and Kesari really wanted a kid, and prayed to Lord Shiva for the blessing of conceiving a son. Shiva, pleased by their devotion and prayers, sent Vayu, the god of wind, to carry Shiva’s essence to fulfill their wishes, perhaps something like a sacred stork.

Turns out that Vayu delivered a pretty gifted kid. Like his gladiator father and like many of our modern day mixed martial art competitors, Hanuman had a plethora of skills and talents. He wrestled demons, …

Every human being on the face of the earth has lost something. A loved one, a pet, a job, their youthful innocence, their car keys. And, for the deeper losses, we Grieve. In fact grief is as much a part of life as love is.

DABDA: STOP ME IF YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE
– See more at: http://www.gaia.com/article/how-to-grieve

There aren’t many things that retain their full potency when they are blended together. Ok, maybe Pert Shampoo and Conditioner. Maybe Simon and Garfunkel. Maybe Cronuts, but that’s about it. In yoga, Kundalini is the exception.

Kundalini Yoga is a blend of Bhakti Yoga (the yogic practice of devotion and chanting), Raja Yoga (the practice of mediation/mental and physical control) and Shakti Yoga, (for the expression of power and energy).

When I was 8 years old, I would come home after school each day, make myself a vanilla milkshake and like every other kid in that era, plop in front of the television.

What I was really drawn in by were talk shows. I was captivated by the opportunity to hear about people’s lives and their personal struggles, brought out into the open. Unfortunately, when my father got home from work, storming into the house, everything changed. When he begin to beat my mom and brother, as he did all too often, I would simply sit closer and closer to the TV, trying to block it all out while waiting for the police and or paramedics. I had …

I never thought my life’s purpose would be largely influenced by a childhood arcade game.

The first time I ever heard the word, “Dharma” was in a vinyasa yoga class in Boulder Colorado, fifteen years ago. My teacher, Brandon began the class seated criss-cross-apple -sauce style, explaining to us that there is a purpose in all that we do; our dharma.

Not yet familiar with Sanskrit, the language that forms the foundation of Yoga, I thought Brandon had hiccoughed mid-word. What was the word he was trying to say, was it direction? duty?… And why the hell are we starting a power yoga class seated listening to chit chat? Just then, something he said cut through my irreverent irritation.…

Yoga on a stand-up paddleboard may sound intimidating, but get out on the water and you will find it easier than imagined. Here are seven reasons why you should give it a try.

One of the first things I learned about yoga was how vital it is to feel the ground beneath your feet. So the first time I attempted a downward facing dog pose while teetering precariously on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), I was pretty sure I’d lost my mind.